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Post by Shepherdess on Jan 31, 2014 15:26:09 GMT
if its been washed you don't need to wash it again. Just tease it out. I would separate all the curls too. Curls are expensive to buy. Marilyn do you have a picture of it finished? I would like to see it.
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Post by koffipot on Jan 31, 2014 17:27:39 GMT
Luvswool, If you're going to wash the wool before you use it, do take care not to agitate it and make sure the rinsing water is at the same temperature as the washing water, otherwise you will have a tubful of felted lumps.
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 1, 2014 1:19:16 GMT
Here are a couple of pics of the wensleydale cobweb I made. I use it now for a table scarf. I embellished it with silk roving on the ends. I've considered cutting it up and using it for something else, but I don't know what. Right now it's serving a purpose. It's soft and a little fuzzy, but not what I expected.
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 1, 2014 1:52:19 GMT
You didn't really get any curl back. strange. I haven't done it with wensleydale but I have with mashum and it turned out really nice. I laid most of the wool in one direction. and only a very tick layer in the other direction. today I would lay it all in one direction.
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 1, 2014 2:11:24 GMT
Thanks Ann. I'll have to try that. I just followed some instructions in a book. I was very new to felting and wasn't sure what I was doing was right. But even when I got the roving it looked like merino only a little different feel no curl. I've never heard of mashum. What is it like?
I ordered some teeswater and expected it to have curl, too. But it looks like merino, too.i will have to do some samples and see how it reacts.
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Post by MTRuth on Feb 1, 2014 2:14:12 GMT
You'll get the best curls with locks instead of roving. You can try putting it in a steamy shower to see if you get some curl back.
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 1, 2014 2:56:22 GMT
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 1, 2014 4:09:53 GMT
Thank you Ruth and Ann. I learn so much here. It 's great!
Ruth, I will try steaming it. thanks.
Thanks Ann for the mashum link. I've thought about ordering from WOW but I always choke on the shipping. I'm accruing a list of products I can't get anywhere else so I can justify it!
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Post by koffipot on Feb 1, 2014 7:56:07 GMT
Teeswater have lovely curly locks, similar to Wensleydale but shorter. These, together with Masham and Swaledale are our local sheep. Ann, you made me laugh! You obviously say "Masham", like 'mash 'em up'. Most people who aren't from Yorkshire do. We think it's funny because it's pronouced "Massam" forget the h!
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Post by zed on Feb 1, 2014 12:05:28 GMT
My Teeswater locks are about twice as long as Wensleydale, some are almost 20 inches. Yeah, definiely save the locks, luvswool, don't wash and card them! I've not washed large quantities of wool, just the odd locks, but know from dyeing how easy it is for the wool to matt or felt, so follow Judith's advice. I read years ago, a good tip is to run your rinsing water at the same time as your washing water so that they cool down at the same time/temp. I've seen it labeled it as 'Massam' a few places, Judith
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 1, 2014 14:23:54 GMT
Working on separating wool from curly locks today…thanks for all of the above advice. (Definitely do not wanted felted lumps!!)
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Post by Shepherdess on Feb 1, 2014 14:32:22 GMT
Judith I say it both ways and I see it spelled both ways. I am from Cheshire. Can't you see me disappearing with only my smile left just like the cat. LOL
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Post by Pandagirl on Feb 1, 2014 15:19:18 GMT
Ok the list is getting longer!
Luvswool you really don't want felted wool. although I've managed to save some with the drum carder.
Since I only do small amount at a time, I usually set out shoe box containers for wash and rinse ---usually 3 for rinse at the same time so they are all room temp.
A good day for separating, washing and watching the snow fall. I look forward to your results.
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Post by luvswool and dyestuff on Feb 4, 2014 0:35:31 GMT
After looking on-line for hand carders ($80 a pair!!!) I went to Petsmart and bought two dog groomer brushes, which look similar to the hand wool carders but are lightweight and of course, smaller. Thanks Pandagirl and Sherpherdess--it only cost $10 for two brushes, However, the "carding" was not easy, and at first I must have put too much wool on the brushes. I never got the wool that looks like roving, but the fibers looked better than before it was in clumps. I made a few samples, which were much too thin. I tend to rush things at times.
Later, I incorporated the newly carded black/brown wool into a cat mat, along with some brownish/greenish roving I had leftover from other projects. I did that because I was worried the mystery wool would not felt. It did felt, and my two cats love it, but it's a bit on the thin side; whereas my plan to produce a thick, luxurious mat fell through. I think I did not use enough wool but will try this one again.
With the white curly locks, I found that when teasing the wool to be ready for carding, they began to "fall apart." Reminds me of when my Mom would curl my hair on rollers, but when she brushed it out, curls all but disappeared. Have put a hold on the curly locks until I figure out a better way. Photos tomorrow!
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Post by MTRuth on Feb 4, 2014 0:38:40 GMT
The curly locks really don't need to be carded. I would just leave them alone and use them as is.
"A thick mat" will take a lot of wool. You need to have lots of layers. Looking forward to the photos.
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